Chin-rest for violins and violas.



No. 883,755 7 PATENTED APR. '7, 1908.

- G. P. STBGKE LBERG.

CHIN BEST FOR VIOLINS AND VIOLAS.

' APPLIGATIQN FILED un 1907.

. j 3 Y 1 1, J6 1% j I WITNESSES T I ATTORNEYS CARL FREDERIBK STEGKELBERG, OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.

CHIN-REST FOR VIOLINS AND VIOLAS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 7, 1908.

Application filed May '7, 1907. Serial No. 372,313.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL FREDERICK STEGKELBERG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lincoln, in the county of Lancaster and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and useful Chin-Rest for Violins and Violas, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to chin rests for violins and Violas and its object is to provide a simple device of this character designed to be placed upon the instrument in such a manner as not to interfere with the free vibration thereof.

Another object is to provide a rest designed to extend over the tail-piece of the instrument so that the chin will at no time contact with the tail-piece and cause a change in the pitch.

A still further object is to provide an attachment of this character the use of which permits the end of the instrument to be held nearer the left shoulder than ordinarily and ermits the right arm to more freely manipuate the bow.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of the invention.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a v ortion of the instrument and showing the c in rest in position thereon; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a portion of the instrument and the rest; Fig. 3 is a section on line was, Fi 2; and Fig. 4. is a view in section showing a s ightly modified construction.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates a portion of a violin having the usual end block 2 in which is secured a button 3 by means of which the tail piece 4 is held in position upon the instru ment.

Heretofore it has been customary to secure the chin rest at one side of the tail piece but such an arrangement has been found objectionable because the ribs of the instrument are caused to warp and the free vibration of the parts has been interfered with. In the present instance the chin rest is disposed directly above the end block 2 so that it is provided with a solid support and in no sense interferes with the vibrations of the instrument. By referring to the drawing it will be noted that the chin rest, which is designated at 5, has a central arch-like opening 6 through which the tail piece extends, feet 7 being formed. at opposite sides of the opening and bearing upon the instrument directly above the end block 2. Pads 8 of felt or other suitable material are preferably interposed between the feet and the instrument so as to prevent scratching. Extending from each foot of the chin rest is an angular rib 9 the downwardly extending portion of which is screw threaded as shown at 10. A jaw 11 is designed to engage the end of the back of the instrument and directly under block 2 and this jaw has a flange 12 from Which extends threaded stems 13. Turn buckles 14 engage the stems 13 and the rods 10 and have openings 15 designed to receive pins or other objects whereby the turn buckles can be easily rotated to clamp the attachment upon the instrument. It is of course to be understood that other means than the openings 15 may be provided to facilitate the rotation of the turn buckles.

As shown in Fig. 1 the chin rest in plan is of peculiar outline, being. substantially semioval, while the upper surface thereof is dished transversely adjacent its center so that it will approximately conform to the contour of the chin and a portion of the left cheek of the performer using the instrument. It will be noted that the feet 7 only contact with the instrument above the end block 2 and as shown in Fig. 3 the main body of the chin rest overhangs the belly of the instrument.

By providing a chin rest such as herein described and locating it in the position mentioned the end block 2 rigidly su ports it so that it does not interfere witli the vibrations of the instrument. Moreover, the compression caused by gripping the instrument with the chin is coincident with the compression produced by the tension of the strings, thereby relieving the inequalities due to the other stresses caused by rib clamping rests. The attachment will not warp the ribs as do those devices which are fastened to the instrument at points beyond the end block. By locating the chin rest abovelthe end block the end of the instrument rests nearer the left shoulder and the right arm can be more freely used. and can be held closer to the body and in a more natural position than otherwise. The height of the chin rest brings .the contact of bow and strings considerable lower without cramping the chest. As a result the manipulation of spring and staccato bowings is rendered easier and surer. The chin at no time touches the tail piece because the same extends directly under and is shielded by the chin rest and therefore the pitch of the strings is never interfered with. The chin is also kept out of contact with the violin and will not dampen or mar the finish. As the end of the violin can be held more to the left by locating the chin rest in the manner described the execution with the left hand is rendered easier especially in the higher positions. It will also be noted that in view of the height of the rest a pad such as ordinarily used by violinists is useless.

Instead of constructing the device in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the jaw of the attachment can be formed of a strip 16 of wood or other material in which angular rods 17 are secured, said rods answering the same purpose as the stems 13.

What is claimed is:

The combination with a violin or the like; of a chin rest comprising a body shaped to substantially conform with the chin and cheek of the user, there bein feet integral with the rest and straddling the tailpiece of the instrument, said feet resting upon the instrument and spaced from the tailplece and constituting a jaw, a jaw having an integral upstanding flange, a U-shaped rod having its intermediate portion secured to and extending longitudinally of the flange, said rod having parallel threaded stems, stems connected to the feet of the chin rest, and means for adjusting the stems toward each other to bind the feet and the jaw upon opposite faces of the instrument.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CARL FREDERICK STEOKELBERG.

Witnesses:

FRANK PARKS, Jon L. BURNHAM. 

